Richmond Region Weather

T-D Follow’s Jordan’s Branch from its Source

Jordan’s Branch is beautiful in places, but in others trash strewn and full of sediment. Credit: P. Kevin Morley

There was a great article by Rex Springston in today’s Times-Dispatch about the often overlooked connection between neighborhood streams and the larger rivers we all value so much (or should). Springston, photographer P. Kevin Morley, and two Chesapeake Bay Foundation scientists followed Jordan’s Branch from its modest headwaters near St. Christopher’s School, through the Willow Lawn area, to Bryan Park, where it joins with Upham Brook and enters Upper Young’s Pond. From there it’s on to the Chickahominy River and then the James.

As Springston wrote:

At turns trashy and pretty, Jordan’s Branch is a great example of miles of urban streams in Virginia that run past homes, under streets and near people who don’t even notice them.

Like small veins that lead to bigger ones, these little streams can carry pollution to bigger waters like the James River and Chesapeake Bay.

About Andy Thompson

I was the Outdoors Columnist at the Times-Dispatch from 2007 to 2013, writing twice a week about mountain biking, fishing, hunting, paddling and much more. I live a 1/4 mile from the James River, close enough to see bald eagles soaring over my house on their way to find a meal. Pretty cool, eh?